[upchuck]

See #214 re Lindsey.

That is interesting and I'm glad to read his rationalization.

But that doesn't excuse his traitorous behavior.

He and his buddies tried to cure a major problem with a band-aid. Yes, they got a couple of lower court judges confirmed. But now we're right back where we started.

The RATS are going to fight hard, very hard, against Alito. I expect Alito to get out of the committee and then the RATS will filibuster in the Senate.

I agree with Lindsey when he said,

I'm not for filibustering. I think when you start ideologically driven filibusters that are partisan, you erode the people who want to serve over time in the judiciary because it becomes reprisal politics. `We're going to pay back the Democrats.' So partisan filibusters based on judicial philosophy or ideology erode the judiciary, weaken the presidency and hurt the Senate.

He's really calling out Frist here. If, back in the spring, Frist had grown some cojones, corralled the RINOS and gotten the Constitutional option passed, Judge Alito's path would be much easier.

This does not change my basic opinion that Lindsey must go. He and his "Gang of 14" buddies are traitors and should be charged and tried as such. Unfortunately, that won't happen. So tossing his ass out of the Senate at the next election will have to suffice.

[sinkspur]

This does not change my basic opinion that Lindsey must go

Last survey I saw, Lindsey Graham is the most popular politician in South Carolina.

Those outside of SC have NO say in the matter.

[Cboldt]

He's really calling out Frist here. If, back in the spring, Frist had grown some cojones, corralled the RINOS and gotten the Constitutional option passed, Judge Alito's path would be much easier.

The DEMs, or whoever is obstructing, controls whether or not the nuclear option can come out to play. The only context the nuclear option can play in is a failed cloture motion, after adequate debate. If the cloture motion passes, then no nuclear option.

Frist failed to igite the nuke on the failed cloture motion for Bolton. So, I agree that Frist held fire, but in the context of olton, it may have been that Voinovich and others would have caused the nuclear option to fail.

The dynamics are completely different with this nomination. I'll be surprised if there is a failed cloture motion, i.e., "filibuster."

[mwl1]

Alito will be so impressive in the hearings that the filibuster option will die a quick death.

Meanwhile, bombard Senators of both parties with tremendous support for this nominee. Make 'em all feel the heat.